Crested Lark

[Ilija Dukovski]

I spent last week in Macedonia visiting my family, friends etc.
I managed to get few hours in the mornings to shoot some birds.

Here's one of the most common birds there this time of the year.
I decided to go with wider crop and keep the leaf. CC appreciated.

Nikon D80 300mm+TC1.4 f/5.6 1/800 AP as metered ISO400

Good to be back here at BPN:)

[Steve Canuel]

I like the comp and colors. Also like the diagonal lines of the platform the bird is on leading to the leaf. Head crest of the bird adds to that effect.

[Bonnie Block]

Nicely composed--great light. I agree that leaving the leaf makes this a much more interesting image.

[Clement Francis]

Lovely species, the deserts of India host this species in huge numbers. Lovely feel to the picture is added by that leaf

[Ofer Levy]

This is a fantastic shot! Composition is wonderful and this leaf together with the alert pose of the bird work just great.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the pose, light and eye contact. Was a lower angle an option?

[denise ippolito]

Ilija, I like the image design.The composition is interesting and balanced. Nice pose and HA. BG color and lighting are sweet!

[Ilija Dukovski]

Thank you my friends. Axel, getting lower was impossible, I would've had to get on the ground.
Unfortunatelly this was taken in the city of Skopje, I was out for a meeting with somebody,
not good idea to show up all mudy and dirty at a meeting :)

These birds are very common in the cities in MK during fall and winter.

[Stu Bowie]

Ilija, I like the inquisitive pose, in a well balanced comp. The leaf actually adds a lot to this, the more I look at the image. Great BG too.

[David Fletcher]

This is really quite cool Ilija. Love your crop choice and that leaf is such a special addition. Nicely seen and thought out.

[Danny J Brown]

Hi Ilija: Beautiful shot of a sweet, little lark. The leaf puts the image to the front of the class.

[Ilija Dukovski]

Thank you again, appreciated!